IT was a good week for Donegal-born flat jockeys, their wins being highlighted by that on Saturday of Dylan Browne McMonagle who landed the near two-mile, six-furlong Queen Alexandra Stakes on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Uxmal. This five-length victory marked Dylan’s first at Royal Ascot. Luke McAteer rode a winner at Ballinrobe on Monday and another at Naas on Wednesday.

There were wins also for Patsy Cosgrave at Bath on Monday and at Newmarket on Thursday, for Paddy Mathers at Redcar last Friday week, for Oisin Orr at Thirsk on Monday and, further afield, for Martin Harley in Australia on Wednesday.

Four from four

Ridden for the first time in public by 7lb-claimer Dara McGill, the Gerald Quinn-trained Takt De Touques recorded his fourth win in a row at Hexham last Sunday.

The 2019 Walzertakt gelding began his sequence of victories when landing a five-year-old maiden at Portrush in March and followed that up by winning two bumpers at Perth. Philip McBurney’s bay was partnered to those previous successes by Noel McParlan who had to forgo the ride on Saturday as he was on board his father Sean’s Drumlee Myth who finished four and a half lengths back in second.

While the winner was McGill’s only ride at the meeting, McParlan had three others, one more for his father and two for Quinn, but these failed to make the frame.

Brian Hughes recorded a double at that Hexham meeting with the only other locally-born jumps jockey to strike during the week being Caoilin Quinn who partnered a winner at Newton Abbot on Tuesday.

MANY people involved in racing started off their careers with their local Pony Club branch and while some have kept contact with the organisation, others have not.

Therefore not all will be aware that Area 17 is hosting a senior international Tetrathlon and a senior regional Tetrathlon in early August at Castle Irvine, Necarne, where there will be competitors from Pony Club branches all over Ireland and Great Britain plus selected representatives from Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

Taking part

This week, the organisers reached out to former Tetrathletes for their support. “Our former Tetrathletes are the reason most of today’s Area 17 Tetrathletes compete, your achievements and personalities encouraged them to take part in this sport. From Beanies upwards they watched you and wanted to follow in your footsteps. It would be fantastic if you could join us at this amazing event.”

There is no racing locally that weekend so no excuses. The basic competition schedule is as follows: Friday, August 2nd, shoot phase at Necarne, swim phase at Omagh Leisure Centre; Saturday, August 3rd, cross-country ride phase at Necarne; Sunday, August 4th, run phase and show jumping phase (international competitors) at Necarne.

ON Friday at Royal Ascot, Armagh builder Conor Duffy was one of the very excited owners of the Ger Keane-trained Crystal Black.

In the colours of the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate, the six-year-old Teofilo gelding brought up a four-timer under Colin Keane in the mile and a half Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.

On Monday at Ballinrobe, the Ado McGuinness-trained Gregorina scored at odds of 12/1 for owners Mark Devlin, Philip Smith and Nigel O’Hare.

On the breeding front, we saw that the John and Margery Adams-bred three-year-old filly So Obsessed (Invincible Army – Red Savina, by Exceed And Excel) recorded her fourth career success at Windsor on Monday as the 7/5 favourite.

BANBRIDGE’s Karen Walsh ran out the very glamorous winner of the Younique Aesthetics Best Dressed Lady competition which took place last Saturday, day two of the BoyleSports Summer Festival of Racing at Down Royal.

The highly-anticipated competition was judged by Áine Larkin, Clinical Director at Younique Aesthetics, Cool FM presenter and fashion enthusiast Rebecca McKinney and the 2024 Miss Northern Ireland winner, Hannah Johns.

Of the 10 stunning finalists, it was Karen who caught the interest of the judges with her attention to detail and keen eye for fashion. Her show-stopping outfit included a Coast jumpsuit and headpiece paired with Dior shoes, a matching bag and Chanel jewellery.

Grand prize

Karen, who took home a £3,000 Younique Aesthetics voucher for use on treatments and/or products at branches in Belfast or Newry, said: “It is such an honour to be crowned this year’s Younique Aesthetics Best Dressed Lady at the BoyleSports Summer Festival of Racing.

“There were so many stunning outfits on display this year that to be selected as the overall winner is a real surprise, but I’m thrilled. Many congratulations to all the other ladies selected in this year’s Top 10 and thank you to the judges for selecting me as the overall winner.”

Younique Aesthetics’ Áine Larkin said: “It has been such a joy to once again return to Down Royal this year as sponsor and judge of the Best Dressed Lady competition. Today’s stunning showcase was a real celebration of fashion and elegance and the sense of style on display was exceptional making our job as judges extremely difficult. We were delighted to crown Karen as the Best Dressed Lady and we hope she enjoys her prize.”

Kathryn Holland, Commercial Manager at Down Royal added: “This year’s competition has been a wonderful event and we are thrilled with the high level of participation and the spectacle of style that has been on display. Many thanks to our sponsor Younique Aesthetics for their continued support in helping make our Best Dressed Lady competition a success. Congratulations to our winner Karen Walsh and to all our top 10 finalists.”